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Redwood City Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos on Monday used the city council meeting to reassure residents that the city and its police department are not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, as fear spreads following recent events in Los Angeles.
“The city is committed to enhancing the cultural fabric in supporting and celebrating all of our neighbors, of all backgrounds here in Redwood City, that includes newcomers, immigrants, people who are contributing in all ways to make Redwood City what it is and what we enjoy it to be today,” Martínez Saballos said.
The Redwood City Police Department “is not actively conducting sweeps for suspected undocumented aliens or our neighbors,” Martínez Saballos said.
“Our police department is only arresting and detaining individuals based on probable cause of a crime or pursuant to California Values Act, the state law,” he added.
The California Values Act, enacted through Senate Bill 54, limits what state and local jurisdictions can use and share for immigration enforcement. The bill is commonly referred to as the “Sanctuary State” law and provides guidelines for when local agencies may assist in immigration enforcement.
“I know there’s lots of fear in the community and lots of rumors, so I did want to just make sure we’re all on the same page here,” he said.
On Tuesday, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus issued a similar statement regarding her office’s U.S. immigration policy.
“Our policy complies with applicable state law. Additionally, our policy states that we ‘will comply only with judicial warrants,’” she said. “Our office is not a federal agency and we do not enforce federal laws.”
According to Corpus, the sheriff’s office has not turned anyone over to ICE since she took office in January 2023.
In 2021, her predecessor, Sheriff Carlos Bolanos, ended release transfer requests from ICE, after backlash from the community. At the time, Bolanos said the decision was made in part due to his desire to maintain a trusting relationship with the public.
In 2024, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted to codify an ordinance that bars deputy sheriffs and other county officials from using public funds to cooperate with ICE. The ordinance passed 4-1, with Supervisor Ray Mueller dissenting.
During the board meeting, Corpus expressed her support for the ordinance, arguing that she wanted the Sheriff’s Office to prioritize the safety and trust of all of the county’s residents.
“I’ve personally seen the effect and trauma experienced by families who have had loved ones taken into ICE custody,” Corpus said. “It is not something that I would like our office to be associated with.”
In her statement on Tuesday, she echoed the statement.
“We serve our stated mission to protect life, property, and public peace for all members of our community, regardless of anyone’s immigration status.”
The mayor and sheriff’s comments came one day after Silicon Valley politicians and community leaders rallied in downtown Palo Alto to protest President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid escalating demonstrations against immigration raids.
Elected leaders, including U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo, State Sen. Josh Becker and U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, denounced the federal response as unconstitutional and a threat to immigrant communities.
Liccardo called the move “reckless militarization.”
“The use of military for the domestic law enforcement puts our nation on the precipice of authoritarian rule,” Liccardo said.
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I appreciated the city’s position on non-cooperation with ICE. I am hoping for one more step.
The original “protests’ were merely people exercising their 1A rights to observe and record the activities of federal officers. The ICE agents responded with smoke grenades, tear gas and flash bangs in a clear provocation.
The California constitution also protects the right of free speech and peaceful assembly. While our current administration will protect federal officers from prosecution on US constitutional grounds, it cannot protect them from violating the California constitution.
I would respectfully submit that our city and county peace officers act to observe federal officers and arrest them for violating citizen rights under state law.